Racism in Football (soccer) - Essay Example

Extract of sampleRacism in Football (soccer)

Basically race and football presents itself in several forms. Since the early years of the last century, many fans have used their football matches to express their racial chauvinism though it has been discovered that these were just a minority of the population but causing great trouble. It's very critical how the minority groups could become very dangerous to coaches, players, and fans. Basically the problem could be worse than implied because many respondents perceive not to give bad impressions. This research will study the extent of racial discrimination in football especially at international and professional levels, and the strategies to alleviate this problem.
Racism is a big concern in the world of football all over. In essence, racism is not simply aimed at undermining or intimidating football players because of the colour of their skin (Russell 1997). In recent times, coaches, officials and even fans have fallen victims of racial discrimination particularly based on their nationality, ethnic origin and religion. Some people are targeted because they are associated by their opponents rather than the colour of skin and ethnicity (Back & Solomos 1998). There have also been cases where people have been individualized and insulted by their own fans, the most notable incidence was that of John Barnes.

Racism is a major problem especially in the European nations and a very critical factor in the cases of hooliganism in football. The real degree to which racism is practiced is virtually difficult to measure since there is no detailed information as evidence or important data and statistical analyses are non existent (Russell 1997). Nonetheless, the activities of disorders in football are particularly on the international level are often referred to as racists or they are perceived to be perpetrated by a groups of racists and currently even some clubs are being considered as being inherently supporters of racism.
Types of Racism
Racism in football takes a variety of forms and some of them are not clearly seen as discriminatory. However chanting against a team, player, coach, football official or fans has been a common form of racist activity. This was very common especially in the English football in the period around 1970s and 1980s. A crowd of some fans usually made some funny noises at players; in England, fans made monkey noises to intimidate black football players on the field. Some other cases included even more personalized abuse and insults (Back & Solomos 1998). A outstanding case is that of Deptford fire where thirteen black players in their youthful ages were burnt by a mod to death, while chanting insulting songs- ' niggers burning better than petroleum' could be heard even as far as Milwall.

There have been anti-Semitic songs targeting for instance the Tottenham Hotspurs fans. Other songs are patriotic and connected to country's national anthems.

Due to the increasing number of cases of racist chanting during football matches, a law was enacted in 1991 termed as the football offences act which made these chants during soccer matches an illegal activity but this law is still inadequately effective in its definition of chanting; chanting is defined as 'utterances of any words made repeatedly or making of some sounds in unison with one or a
...Show more

Summary

It widely accepted that football is the most popular sporting activity on the planet and a very beautiful game. However the game has been tainted by cases of very uncouth behaviour that include violence, hooliganism, bullying and worst of all the insults that are meant to discriminate peoples races (racial discrimination)…

Related Essays

The Intriguing World of Soccer Introduction Soccer is the most famous sport all over the globe, and the reason for this can be associated to various factors. The mysterious nature and adventurous spirit of the sport itself could be the major attraction of this sport.

Soccer is played by two opposing teams each comprising of 11 players each defending its goal and trying to score on the opponent‘s goal. According to federation for international football association (FIFA) soccer is followed by about I billion viewers across the globe though the figure has been disputed to be about 350 million viewers (Harris, 1).

Football now reflects the basic, cultural changes of contemporary society. Soccer and the American football are extremely popular games which have similar rules and traditions. Soccer has a "historical" dimension dealing with changes that have taken place in global culture and social movements on the American scene at the present time.

Cohen (1988) has recommended that by good quality of its imperialist stage, racism is constitutive of what has become a British life style. This reality has also been imitated in English football which was in the past opposed to work together or have reutilized contact with alleged minor footballing states.

The sport of football (soccer usually called in the United States) has been connected with aggression ever since its foundation in 13th century England. Medieval football competitions engage hundreds of peformers, and were basically played encounters among the young men of opponent townships.

This study looks into football hooliganism as the on the spot rowdy behavior of fans which is not planned and takes place at the spur of the moment. It football hooliganism is also a term used to explain unruly behavior by organized groups which is preplanned and usually takes place outside the stadium to avoid police and arrests.

es, such comments and clear racist remarks are seldom seen but Szymanski (2000) reports that the problem is not over and the racism has merely hidden itself somewhat.
While football remains the most popular sport in the world, it is helpful to understand how racism in football

The researcher of this essay aims to pay special attention to racism in Russia football. The essay will demonstrate the steps taken to address the challenge of racism in Russia football and evaluation of the measures taken and the way forward: current measures to eradicate racism are not adequate although antiracism advertisements are promising.

7 pages (1750 words)Essay

Get a custom paper writtenby a pro under your requirements!

Win a special DISCOUNT!

Put in your e-mail and click the button with your lucky finger

Your email

YOUR PRIZE:

—

Apply my DISCOUNT

Got a tricky question? Receive an answer from students like you!Try us!

Comments (0)

Rate this paper:

Thank you! Your comment has been sent and will be posted after moderation

Didn't find an essay?

Contact us via Live Chat, call us at +16312120006or send an email to support@studentshare.net